Central Macedonia allocates €140 m EU funds to 1,443 businesses

The Regional Authority of Central Macedonia approved financing for 1,443 enterprises under the ESPA "Key to Progress" programme, amounting to €140.4 million from EU sources. Combined with private contributions, the total investment reaches €280.73 million. The funded firms include 66.1% very small businesses (up to 9 staff), 25.9% small firms (10‑49 staff) and 7.9% medium‑sized firms (50‑249 staff). Individual enterprises are 32.7% sole proprietorships and 20.2% partnerships, with activity sectors spanning health services, wholesale, hospitality, engineering, food industry and catering.

In parallel, the Public Employment Service (DYPA) reported that more than 223,000 people have benefited from employment and training programmes in Central and Western Macedonia. 76,830 citizens took part in 52 employment programmes, while 146,556 received training funded by the Recovery and Resilience Fund. The initiatives targeted women (63% of employment beneficiaries), young adults, long‑term unemployed and older workers, and delivered digital, green and financial literacy skills among others.